By Freddie Allen NNPA Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON (NNPA) – Nearly half a million young Blacks face a tough choice as the November 6 presidential election approaches: either get a new, government-issued photo identification or don’t vote. In “Turning Back the Clock on Voting Rights,” the Black Youth Project, a group that fosters political and civil engagement among young African Americans, outlined h ...

By Marie Day Residential Mortgage Default Servicing and Community Outreach Executive Wells Fargo The economy has had a detrimental effect on homeownership. Unemployment andunderemployment have made it tough for many homeowners to maintain current mortgagepayments. In attempts to get assistance and avoid foreclosure, vulnerable homeowners becomeprime targets for scam artists who are taking advantage of peopl ...

By George E. Curry NNPA Columnist When I was in the process of reading and writing about Nielsen and the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s report on African-American buying power for this week’s Black newspapers, I was reminded of how many top companies continue to take advantage of Black consumers while providing little, if anything, in return. They are not the only ones at fault – so are we. Peo ...

By Chinta Strausberg Saying he will continue to fight for a fair share of jobs and opportunities, retired businessman and multi-millionaire Ed Gardner Tuesday called for 10,000 people to join him after their 3 p.m. church this Sunday, September 30, 2012, at 95th and Western to demand their equal slice of Chicago’s contractual pie. Gardner, who made his comments on WVON’s Perri Small show on his way to 92nd ...

By George E. Curry NNPA Columnist #15 – Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (Mo.): “Congress is unable to do the work of the American people because too many politicians believe that compromise means capitulation. This must change, because just as bees cannot sting and make honey at the same time, members of Congress cannot simultaneously make passionate enemies and expect political progress.” #14 – Rep. Barney Frank (Ma ...

By Charlene Crowell NNPA Columnist As many as 1.6 million responsible student loan borrowers could benefit from a new order that ties loan repayment to income and family size. Beginning September 30, an expanded option called Income Based Repayment (IBR) can reduce monthly loan payments. Coordinated with the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service and the Secretary of Education, an online application e ...

By Julianne Malveaux NNPA Columnist The 2012 Democratic National Convention was an exuberant celebration of President Obama, his accomplishments, and the many ways his presidency has made us better off than we were four years ago. Between a stirring and incandescent speech by First Lady Michelle Obama, and an impassioned charge by former President Bill Clinton, the delegates were roused and the pressure wa ...

By Shavon Bailey There is a war waging in Chicago between the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), led by Karen Lewis and the Chicago Board of Education (Board), led by Mayor Rahm Emaunel of epic proportion. Not in 25 years have we seen such a contentious battle between CTU and the Board. Karen Lewis is the proverbial “Moses”, trying to lead her teachers (the Israelites) to the Promised Land; and Mayor Rahm Eman ...

Dear Gwendolyn: I was in a relationship that I felt was okay. We went to a dance and I did not want to dance off the song that was playing. When I said no, he started dancing with someone else and continued dancing off/on with this woman. On my favorite song, he was on the floor with this woman. I had to tell him to turn around now and dance with me. When the dance was over and we were leaving, he pulle ...